Bigby Headed For Surgery

[SkunkedAgain]

Quote:

Atari Bigby’s year is going from bad to worse.

First, he wanted the security of a long-term contract that wasn’t forthcoming. Now, he’s about to lose his starting job without so much as stepping on the practice field.

Bigby will have arthroscopic surgery to remove scar tissue in his troublesome ankle on Friday. The surgery and rehab — a “cleanup” of the procedure he had following the 2008 season — are expected to keep him out for four weeks, which means all of training camp.

"Being injured, not playing — and playing's what I do — that's not a good thing,” Bigby said. “But hopefully I can get this thing right. I feel like once I'm healthy, the ball is in my court, I can control my destiny."

That may be wishful thinking. Third-round pick Morgan Burnett hasn’t been perfect but he’s off to a strong start during the first week of training camp. Considering Bigby skipped the offseason practices while refusing to sign his restricted free agent tender and now will miss training camp and almost certainly won’t be ready to play in the regular-season opener at Philadelphia, Burnett will have ample opportunity seize control of the starting job.

“I just go out every day and just work hard and try to get better and just want to learn as quickly as I can, so whenever my number is called, I’ll be prepared and ready,” Burnett said. “I just want to earn the trust and the respect of our coaches and my teammates.”

Earning that trust is the big thing, which means Burnett must know the defense inside and out and be able to adapt to heat-of-the-moment adjustments made by the offense.

“He’s got a lot on his plate, and he is a rookie and we cant lose sight of that,” safeties coach Darren Perry said. “But his progress has been steady; we’ve just got to keep him going in the right direction. Been very pleased up to this point. The thing that you have to understand is that we haven’t played any games. We know once we get into the preseason the tempo is going to pick up, and this system is very complicated and he’s still learning. Every day is something new. The big thing is technique and seeing things. It’s a different game at this level as far as routes, how you play things, the talent level, so he’s really got to be on point, and I think he’s understanding that going up against our guys, particularly the receivers, the tight ends, the quarterback.”

On the field, Burnett is leaning on the experience of two-time Pro Bowler Nick Collins as well as Bigby, who Burnett repeatedly has said has been especially helpful as a sounding board when they discuss things on the sideline.

Perry said he’s trying to walk the fine line of bringing Burnett up to speed quickly but too not quickly so that’s information overload.

The process is going well, Burnett said, though he knows he’s got a lot of work to do.

“You’ve got to go study your playbook, try to quiz yourself and look over your notes that you jotted down,” Burnett said. “When you’re out doing the job-through, that’s when you get all your questions asked, and then the film room and the individual meetings.”

If all goes well, he’ll earn the trust and respect he craves — and the defense needs.

“That’s anybody’s goal. The defense has got to rely on you back there as a safety,” Collin said. “If anything goes down, you have their backs. Until he gains everybody’s trust — I know he’s got our trust in the secondary. We know that if he gets put in a starting role, he’s going to come out there and do what he has to do and we’re going to trust him. It’s getting the other seven guys to believe in him. I think he’s making strides.”

Good job Ted Thompson. He seems to be pretty good at sniffing out rancid meat, and not committing the money unless they are going to continue contributing. Bigby wanted a big contract and they gave him the stiff arm. They must have known something was up. I'd love to have Bigby playing at his highest level again. Too bad he had to wait all this time to figure out that he needed surgery.

[CJH]

He's a DA. I am sure his agent (Drew Rosenhaus) didn't help matters. He plays a few good games a few years ago and thinks he deserves a big contract???!!!

Glad TT didn't give him a penny more, he didn't deserved it. Hasn't played well since 08' and has been hurt all the time and a liability in coverage. The rookie Burnett was probably going to start over him anyway, so maybe he saw the writing on the wall.

[SkunkedAgain]

....the one good thing is that you've got to like the possibility of a hard-hitter like Bigby in a contract year, fighting for a starting job on the team.

[mrklean]

Drew Rosenhaus is just bad for football that dude stinks

[CJH]

....the one good thing is that you've got to like the possibility of a hard-hitter like Bigby in a contract year, fighting for a starting job on the team.

I agree. He's really going to have to show up and fight if he wants another contract from the Packers. Not like other teams will be batting down his door either. Hard hitting safeties usually have a pretty short shelf life, other than the greats (Lott, etc...).